By: Melissa

Invented during the T’ang dynasty In China fireworks were shaped like dragons The dragon’s head was 5 feet long First use was for entertainment Used against Mongol invaders in 1279 A cook in China found the mixture for fireworks to explode

The fuse ignites the coarse gunpowder charge Gases that stream out of the paper tube propels the rocket into the air When firework is at the highest point the coarse gunpowder charge ignites the finer one The explosion breaks up the rocket into small firecrackers making color

Today fireworks are used for fun and celebration In ancient China first used for entertainment and then used to scare away enemies

Were used effectively to tell people they were in trouble Scared away enemies Used for celebrations Used for Indepen- dence Day (a big part of Independence Day)

“Fireworks” World Book Encyclopedia, 1997 ed. “Fireworks” Available: html (March 25, 2001) html “Warfare” Available: (March 26, 2001)